STATEMENT BY FRANCISCAN PRIEST ANDJELOVIC

SARAJEVO, Nov 16 (Hina) - In connection with the brutal murder of two Franciscan priests in Fojnica, head of the Bosnian Franciscan province Petar Andjelovic on Tuesday requested international protection for peaceful and peace-making priests and worshippers. In a public statement, Andjelovic recalled that Nikica Milicevic, head of the Franciscan community in Fojnica, was mortally shot from the back, while his deputy, Leon (Mato) Migic, was riddled with automatic machine-gun fire in the Franciscan monastery in Fojnica on 13 November. Andjelovic said that UNPROFOR had confirmed at the time the town had been under control of Bosnian Army forces. "We ask all those who believe in goodness and who care for peace in the world to protect the preachers of peace, messengers of brotherhood and concord, so that people could survive in this country which Franciscans have been protecting for seven thousand years and have protected it," said the statement. "It is hard for us to have confidence in the army which shoots at Franciscans from behind, it is hard for us to call it ours as long as there are bandits in its ranks. That is why we are seeking international protection," said the statement. 161352 MET nov 93